Lessons learned from the impact of COVID-19 on the global construction industry

Abstract

Purpose The construction industry represents most of every country’s finances and vital to continued economic growth and activities, especially in developing countries. The impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 disease (COVID19) on the government’s income resulted in the expectation of many public projects being cancelled or delayed providing little opportunity for the emergence of new public projects. This study collated a global qualitative perspective (survey interviews) on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and the positive and negative impacts for future-proofing the construction sector. Design/methodology/approach In total, 76 respondents from five continents excluding South America responded to the online open-ended structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed through artificial inteligence analytics tool – Zoho analytics. Findings The themes indicating the positive impact obtained from the interview were overhead cost reduction, remote working environment, focus on health and safety, improved productivity and sustainability goals while the themes signifying the negative impact were low business turnover, delays in construction payment and output, difficulties working from home and job losses. Supply chain management, construction project management improvement, concentration on health and safety and effective virtual working environment were collated as themes on lessons learned. Social implications The major findings of this study emphasise on the need to improve the occupational health and safety and onsite safety measures for future proofing of the construction industry. Originality/value The findings from the analyses made clear the imperativeness of the built environment research, with a focus on novel framework and strategies for future proofing the construction industry.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effects on the Usage of Information Technologies in the Construction Industry: The Case of Romania

“…Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the construction industry, the existing literature offers references for a multitude of effects identified all over the world. Among the most common consequences, the slowing down of the processes, leading to disruption and delays [7][8][9][10][11], stoppage of the construction projects [7], suspension of the current projects, involving time, and cost overrun [8], can be counted. For instance, Zamani et al [8] collected 20 interviews from different owners or project managers within the Malaysian construction sector, and the problems the industry encountered when dealing with the pandemic were grouped in six different categories: project timeline, reduced labor, logistics, late payment, increased project costs, and reduced number of projects.…”

“…Regarding the countermeasures that address the COVID-19 impact, it was observed that during the current pandemic, the companies around the world adopted different strategies and different measures when being confronted with this crisis. Educating the working force on the virus [8,14], effective checks on entry and exit from construction sites [9], and financial aids [8] from government or other public authorities represent some of the countermeasures encountered worldwide along the construction sector. Among the most efficient strategies in overcoming the pandemics, the switching to online work [7] by using virtual working, the reduction of the on-site works (where possible), and the travel ban were identified [17].…”

Guest editorial

“…From East to West, the articles in the SI show that uncommon issues occurred in varying degrees. A study that relies on data collected from five continents affirms that overhead cost reduction, remote working environment, focus on H&S, improved productivity and sustainability goals were priorities for firms (Ogunnusi et al, 2021). The same study also highlights the negative impact of COVID in the form of low business turnover, delayed payment and production, apart from home and job losses.…”

Construction 4.0 Organisational Level Challenges and Solutions

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed out that the workforce in CI is in a particularly vulnerable position, and the effective application of technology [19] and the creation of a virtual work environment [20] providing possible solutions to the current situation. The overall industry transformation will result in significant efficiencies in addition to the current pandemic, which I4 has already demonstrated in many cases.…”